Miniaturized Flat Archimedean Spiral Antenna

Authors

  • Miguel Fernandez-Munoz Signal Theory and Communications Department, Mechanical Engineering Area Universidad de Alcalá - Escuela Politécnica Superior, Alcalá de Henares 28805, Spain
  • Nerea Munoz-Mateos Signal Theory and Communications Department, Radiation and Sensing Group Universidad de Alcalá - Escuela Politécnica Superior, Alcalá de Henares 28805, Spain
  • Rocio Sanchez-Montero Signal Theory and Communications Department, Radiation and Sensing Group Universidad de Alcalá - Escuela Politécnica Superior, Alcalá de Henares 28805, Spain https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3135-8828
  • Pablo Luis Lopez-Espi Signal Theory and Communications Department, Radiation and Sensing Group Universidad de Alcalá - Escuela Politécnica Superior, Alcalá de Henares 28805, Spain https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3750-255X
  • Juan Antonio Martinez-Rojas Signal Theory and Communications Department, Radiation and Sensing Group Universidad de Alcalá - Escuela Politécnica Superior, Alcalá de Henares 28805, Spain https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8842-6986
  • Efren Diez-Jimenez Signal Theory and Communications Department, Mechanical Engineering Area Universidad de Alcalá - Escuela Politécnica Superior, Alcalá de Henares 28805, Spain https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3689-841X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13052/2025.ACES.J.400104

Keywords:

Antenna prototype, Archimedean spiral, finite element simulation (FEM), miniaturization

Abstract

This paper presents the design and tests of a miniaturized flat Archimedean spiral antenna. The antenna has two gold Archimedean spiral arms on the surface of a thick alumina cylinder. This cylindrical substrate has an outer diameter of 1.1 mm and a thickness of 0.52 mm. These reduced dimensions make the presented antenna at least an order of magnitude smaller than any previous planar Archimedean spiral antenna reported in the literature. This small antenna can be used for communication in small devices, wireless power transmission for implantable sensors, microrobots and other micro applications. Despite its reduced size, the antenna has a relatively low resonant frequency, which was measured at 4.9 GHz. The characteristic length of the antenna can be reported as only 0.018λ. The design and simulations of the fundamental parameters of the antenna are presented, showing a uniform radiation pattern. Also, the manufacturing process is described. Seven prototypes of the antenna have been manufactured and their reflection coefficient was measured. The tests showed good agreement with simulations. The repeatability of the measurements and the reliability of the fabrication process are demonstrated.

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Author Biographies

Miguel Fernandez-Munoz, Signal Theory and Communications Department, Mechanical Engineering Area Universidad de Alcalá - Escuela Politécnica Superior, Alcalá de Henares 28805, Spain

Miguel Fernandez-Munoz is Assistant Professor at Mechanical Engineering area of Universidad de Alcalá, Spain. He obtained his Ph.D. in Information and Communications Technologies in 2023, M.Sc. in Industrial Engineering also in 2023 and B.Sc. on Engineering in Electronics and Industrial Automation in 2019 from Universidad de Alcalá. Currently he is a member of the Mechanical, Thermal and Electrical Engineering & Technologies Research Group of Universidad de Alcalá, and his main interests are miniaturized WPT systems, electromagnetic actuators and MEMS.

Nerea Munoz-Mateos, Signal Theory and Communications Department, Radiation and Sensing Group Universidad de Alcalá - Escuela Politécnica Superior, Alcalá de Henares 28805, Spain

Nerea Munoz-Mateos graduated as valedictorian in System Telecommunication Degree in 2018 from Universidad de Alcalá, Spain. She completed her master’s thesis focused on design and optimization of miniaturized planar spiral antenna for X-band applications in Telecommunications from Universidad de Alcalá. Professionally, Mateos worked in Indra Sistemas contributing to defense and aerospace projects involving space communication, radar systems, like Manpack and Galileo. She now works as telecommunication engineer in external plant in Telefónica.

Rocio Sanchez-Montero, Signal Theory and Communications Department, Radiation and Sensing Group Universidad de Alcalá - Escuela Politécnica Superior, Alcalá de Henares 28805, Spain

Rocio Sanchez-Montero was born in Madrid, Spain, in 1979. She received the M.S. degree in Telecommunications Engineering in 2004, and the Ph.D. degree in Telecommunications Engineering, in 2011, from the Universidad de Alcalá, Spain. She spent a half year in the Communications Group, The University of Sheffield, UK, as doctoral Research Fellow. Currently, she is an associate professor at the department of Signal Processing and Communications, Universidad de Alcalá and member of the Radiation and Sensing Research Group of this University. Her main interests are in RF devices, electromagnetism and sensors.

Pablo Luis Lopez-Espi, Signal Theory and Communications Department, Radiation and Sensing Group Universidad de Alcalá - Escuela Politécnica Superior, Alcalá de Henares 28805, Spain

Pablo Luis Lopez-Espi holds a Ph.D. from the University of Alcalá in Computer Architecture and Signal Processing Techniques Applied to Telecommunications (2008), M.Sc. in Telecommunications Engineering (1998) from the University of Cantabria and B.Sc. in Communications Engineering (1995) University of Alcala. He is the head of the Radiation and Sensing research group at the UAH. He has participated in more than 40 R&D projects and contracts and is the author of 29 publications in indexed journals. His research interests focus on the design of high-frequency circuits and antennas and on geographic information technologies for the monitoring of exposure to electromagnetic fields.

Juan Antonio Martinez-Rojas, Signal Theory and Communications Department, Radiation and Sensing Group Universidad de Alcalá - Escuela Politécnica Superior, Alcalá de Henares 28805, Spain

Juan Antonio Martinez-Rojas has degrees in Astrophysics and Psychology and obtained his Ph.D. in Atomic, Molecular and Nuclear Physics. He is a tenured associate professor at the University of Alcalá in Madrid, Spain. His research interests include Plasma Physics, Spectroscopy, Acoustics and Systems Engineering. At present he is working in sensing systems able to survive in extreme environments.

Efren Diez-Jimenez, Signal Theory and Communications Department, Mechanical Engineering Area Universidad de Alcalá - Escuela Politécnica Superior, Alcalá de Henares 28805, Spain

Efren Diez-Jimenez is Associate Professor at Mechanical Engineering area of Universidad de Alcalá, Spain. He obtained his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Organization in 2012, M.Sc. in Machines and Transport Engineering in 2010 and bachelor’s in industrial engineering in 2008 from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Spain. In 2013, he received the Extraordinary Award for the Best Thesis in Mechanical Engineering. He has participated as coordinator into different ESA-H2020-FP7 projects with successful results. Currently, he is coordinator of H2020 European project UWIPOM2, where micro-robotic rotary actuators are being developed. Author of more than 35 articles and five patents granted, he also collaborates as reviewer in mechanical engineering journals. His main research interests are mechanisms and machine design, electromagnetic actuators and MEMS.

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Published

2025-01-30

How to Cite

[1]
M. . Fernandez-Munoz, N. . Munoz-Mateos, R. . Sanchez-Montero, P. L. . Lopez-Espi, J. A. . Martinez-Rojas, and E. . Diez-Jimenez, “Miniaturized Flat Archimedean Spiral Antenna”, ACES Journal, vol. 40, no. 01, pp. 26–34, Jan. 2025.

Issue

2025: Vol 40 Iss 1

Section

General Submission

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